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Drafting the Current Toronto Maple Leafs Roster In Their Prime

By Jeff Borsuk

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs watches the action late in the game against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs watches the action late in the game against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs – Joe Thornton (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Second Overall Pick – Joe Thornton

Jumbo Joe Thornton is in the home stretch of his career. Having spent 23 years in the league, some may forget just how dominant he was in his prime. That’s why the Boston Bruins are still kicking themselves for trading away their captain during the 2005-06 season. He was moved nearly 16 years ago for a package of defenseman Brad Stuart, center Wayne Primeau, and left-winger Marco Sturm.

The same year the Bruins made that unwise transaction, Thornton went on to have the best season of his career. Between the Bruins and the San Jose Sharks, he recorded125 points from 29 goals and 96 assists. That was good enough for him to win both the Hart and the Art Ross Trophies. He remains the only player to ever pick up that hardware in a season in which he was traded.

That’s not the only unique fact attributed to Thornton. He happens to also be the only active player to ever have more than 90 assists in a single season, a feat he’s accomplished twice. The closest active player to eclipse 90 is Nikita Kucherov who had 87 assists in 2018-19. Thornton has been so spectacular at setting up teammates that he sits seventh overall all-time in total career assists in NHL history.

Jumbo isn’t a six-time all-star because of his passing alone. He’s no stranger to putting the biscuit in the basket. He has scored north of 30 goals twice in his career. Thornton scored 37 goals in 2000-01 and 36 in 2002-03. He’s also scored 29 twice.

This incredible player might be the second overall pick in our draft but Thornton was the first overall selection of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he has proven himself to be a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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